Disclaimer! I don't own Wow. Blizz does, and your soul too.
*** Kingdom of Lordaeron – Durnholde Keep ***
It ended up being a few days later that Blackmoore was able to arrange that dinner and ale sampling that he promised. With Thoras' departure and Blackmoore's orders changed from marching with us to defense, it took time for him to set things up. Since I had nothing better to do, I spent the rest of the time teaching Liadrin and her elven priests how to wield the Light in the courtyard.
Surprisingly, we were usually not alone;Sylvanas would often be out there practicing with her rangers. Eventually, I could only teach the priests so much before they needed to meditate or reflect on what they learned. With nothing else to do for the day, I walked over to Sylvanas and where her rangers were practicing. True to her skill, she didn't even turn around, but I knew she sensed me.
"Yes, Callan?" Sylvanas never took her eyes off her rangers as they went through the motions.
"Mind if I join your rangers in their archery practice?" I asked. "It's been a while since I wielded a bow. Don't want my skill to get rusty, you know?"
Sylvanas turned to me then with a raised eyebrow. "You know how to use a bow?"
I let out a derisive huff. "I'll have you know that my drill sergeant said I was better with a bow than with a sword."
This time, the pretty blonde turned her body to look at me critically. Her somewhat luminescent blue eyes traveled from my head to my toe. Had I been a woman, and she a man, it would have come off as lecherous. With her scrutinizing done, she folded her arms under her chest, emphasizing it.
"This, I would like to see," she said, clearly humoring me. "Anya Eversong."
A ranger stepped out from their firing line and walked over to the future Banshee Queen. The elf, like most elven women, was extremely pretty. She had dark hair like charcoal that seemed to contrast with her emerald green eyes. She was slimmer than Sylvanas, not to call the Ranger Commander fat, but she was, as my old world saying went, 'thicc' where her ranger was slim.
"Lord Callan." Anya Eversong inclined her head towards me before turning to her leader. "You called for me, Ranger Commander?"
"Yes," Sylvanas said with a barely hidden smile. "I just found out that Lord Callan here claims he was better with a bow than a sword."
Again, what's with the hard emphasis on 'Lord'?!
Sylvanas' subordinate unknowingly mimicked her earlier raised eyebrow as her green eyes flicked over to me in an assessing manner.
"Truly?" she asked in a doubt-filled tone.
"That's what I aim to find out," Sylvanas said with amusement. "You are the best marksmen after me. I would have you and Callan match skill in a little contest if you are up to it."
"Of course, Ranger Commander." Anya stepped forward without needing to think twice.
"And you, Callan?" Sylvanas turned to me. "Would you care to match bows with Anya?"
"Would I?" I asked in mock offense. "Care to make a wager?"
Oh, she wanted me to throw down, did she? She didn't know I had Anduin's cheat skill with a bow. The future king of Stormwind took out the black dragon broodmother's eye with a well-placed shot at ten years old. Ten!
"If you are that confident," Sylvanas mused speculatively. "Then I don't see why not. What would you like to wager?"
"Uh..." I stopped as I realized that I had no idea what I wanted to wager. Gold was so...pedestrian, but what else could I ask for? Time to stall. "Well, let me ask you first, what would you like if Anya here wins?"
Sylvanas blinked and for a moment looked thoughtful before she turned back to me. "My younger brother said you had a head full of songs. I would like one if I win."
'Baby got back!' I immediately thought. However, I disabused myself of the notion to say that out loud. As amusing as the thought was, I didn't want to be turned into a pincushion by her fellow rangers.
"Done," I said. "As for what I want...I can't think of it yet, so let's say you owe me something of equal value if I win?"
"Agreed," Sylvanas said. She then made a hand motion that cleared the area of her rangers. "We will begin with fifty yards, and moving targets at one hundred. We will then increase the distance every fifty yards after that until one of you misses."
As if to showcase the latter, one of her rangers threw a knife into the air. Without turning around, Sylvanas nocked an arrow, drew it, and released it in one smooth motion. The projectile from the future banshee queen struck the knife dead-on.
'Damn...' I thought. I could have hit the knife—I knew I could—but I wouldn't be able to do it without looking.
To my surprise, Sylvanas handed her bow to me. It wasn't the Windrunner bow that Alleria had, but it was finely made. I looked up to see if she was sure, but a curt nod answered my unvoiced question. Taking the bow into my hand, I tested it out to see if it needed any tuning.
"Are the two of you ready?" Sylvanas asked. Anya meanwhile moved to stand next to me.
"Ready," I replied at the same time Anya did.
"Then, the first target is the bullseye fifty yards to your left," she said.
Sure enough, two rangers had moved the bullseye target to fifty yards. They tossed their knives into the air. The two of us drew our bow at the same time, but Anya's motion was smoother; she released first and struck a bullseye. My release came a few seconds later, though the bullseye was struck true as well.
"A good start," Sylvanas said. Her tone gave nothing of what she would have thought away. "Now, the second target. Away!"
Two knives were thrown in the air. Once more, Anya struck her target as it was on the ascent, while I hit mine at the apex a few moments later. Sure my competition was faster, but as long as I hit the target, we were even.
"Third shot!" The range increased to one hundred and fifty yards.
Like before, I lagged behind by a few seconds but still struck the faraway target true. Whatever Anya thought on the matter, she kept it to herself as the fourth short was released then the fifth, sixth, and seventh. At four hundred yards, we were at an English longbow range from Earth. Our bows were not that size, but perhaps it was the magical nature of this world that allowed us to shoot that far with smaller bows.
On the next set, we went four hundred and fifty yards, past what peak humans from Earth could do. Then five hundred, then five fifty. We ended up attracting a crowd and even Blackmoore was out there watching, but I didn't let it distract me. It was getting harder and harder for me to even see my target. Six hundred was the first time I lost track of my target. However, a quick calculation of where I had seen it last and factoring in with its last known trajectory, I was able to estimate where it was going to drop. Angling my bow and straining my muscles, I released and barely got my target before it hit the ground.
'Whew,' I mentally sighed. I turned to see Anya looking at me with genuine respect in her eyes. Well… I was going to lose this one, but in the spirit of the competition, I was going to give it my best. At six hundred and fifty yards, the moving target was thrown up and for the first time, Anya had to take her time and aim at the target. I did not pay too much attention as I tracked my target and using my best estimate, let loose my shot. Anya struck her target true as it started to drop from its apex. Unfortunately, mine only struck after the target had reached the ground.
I had lost.
"Thank you for the contest, Lord Callan," Anya spoke up first as she turned to me. "It was an honor."
"No, the honor is mine, Lady Anya," I answered her with a wry smile. I watched her blink before quickly turning away. Ever the consummate professional I see. I then turned to Sylvanas who was giving me an odd look. "Well?"
"Your instructor was wrong," Sylvanas stated bluntly. "You're a better swordsman."
'That can't be right.' I frowned. I clearly got my ass beaten in training camp and others had bested me. Unless 'Manduin' somehow was a better swordsman than I thought then… Did I grow somehow?
With the contest over, the majority of our audience left, though not before I saw Blackmoore whispering something to the man next to him. It took me a moment to realize that it was Tammis, Taretha's father. Was the dinner going to be tonight? I shook my head; I would have to ponder on that later. Right now, I had a bet to honor.
"Well, milady," I said in a teasing tone. "I do believe I owe you a song."
"You do," Sylvanas acknowledged in a serious tone. "I shall be lenient and allow you some time to compose one for me."
"No need," I told her. "I already have one for you."
Sylvanas raised her eyebrow in a way that I increasingly found cute. "So soon? Even Lirath would need some time to think it over."
"What can I say?" I grinned at her as I handed back her bow. "You inspire me."
Sylvanas looked flummoxed by my teasing.
"I'm afraid you'll have to wait until I see Lirath next. That's the only way to do it justice," I explained in a sage-like manner.
"I-I see." Sylvanas exhaled deeply before turning around. "I'll look forward to hearing it."
Then, without as much as a 'by your leave', she went back to training her rangers. I looked at my hands and wondered if what Sylvanas said was true. Was I better in melee than range now? I knew my Light magic was a great equalizer, but I had fought her without magic before. The thing was, there was no tangible way for me to know. Despite being in a game world, there were no stat menus or game-like features for me to view.
Exhaling, I began my quiet walk back to my office, greeting various soldiers along the way. I would have to think more about it later. The contest killed quite a bit of time for me and now, it was best if I finished up on any paperwork I missed.
Arriving back at my office, I did just that and before I knew it, night arrived. A soft knock at my door revealed Tammis waiting outside of my office.
Knowing that it was time for the dinner, I nodded without saying anything to the servant as he led me to Durnholde's dining hall.
Like most things in this life, I found that very little was matching up to my memory. For one, Durnholde Keep was big and had more buildings than what was rendered in the game. Its residential area was located where the orcs internment camp would be in the future. I guessed Blackmoore must have relocated his people and leveled the area.
Eventually, we entered a modest stone building once we passed by the barracks. Upon entry, the first thing I noticed was that it was well-lit. I had expected it to be dark and gloomy like Shadowfang Keep. Various paintings on the walls depicted famous battles and portraits of the Blackmoore family line. I took some time to observe them as we moved through the long corridor until we reached a large wooden door.
Without fanfare, Tammis opened it, and revealed a large room. As far as dining halls went, it was on the more spacious side. Why, there was even a fancy crystal chandelier hanging on the ceiling. I noticed that various tables, perhaps to entertain more guests, were pushed up against the wall and covered. Only one table remained in the center, and it was there that Blackmoore was sitting at.
"Ah, my friend, come, sit," Blackmoore gestured to the chair opposite of him.
I took my seat and looked down at the table that was set out with empty plates as we waited for the food and the 'finest ale' that Blackmoore promised.
"Tammis," Blackmoore prompted his servant. The father of Taretha walked right to my table with a silver pitcher in hand to fill my cup. Once it was filled, he stepped back respectfully.
"To Lordaeron." Blackmoore raised his cup across from me.
"And new friends." I returned the gesture. With that, I put the cup to my lips and tilted it back. I tentatively flicked my tongue out to taste it and found myself pleasantly surprised.
"I take it that you found it agreeable?" the man asked me.
"Aye, you had the right of it," I grinned as I wiped my mouth with my sleeves. It was one of the few rare occasions that I was out of my usual armor. "This is the best ale I ever tasted in the world."
That pleased the future traitor as he leaned back. A soft knock at the door interrupted my buttering of the lord of Durnholde ego.
"Ah, I see our food is ready," Blackmoore said. He then nodded in the man's direction.
I turned to look and saw a pretty blonde woman, dressed in fine clothes, walking in with a large tray on her arms. The dress was made to accentuate her curves and display her bosom. It was barely acceptable with how much it covered her chest and, judging by the uncomfortable way she looked, it was not something she was used to wearing. Her eyes shot up at me in particular and widened when she saw I was looking at her. She quickly lowered her head at being caught. It was then I noticed the child in her shadow.
Dressed in a servant outfit, there was a little girl with bright long blonde hair and wide innocent blue eyes. She was carrying a sauceboat in her hand and had trouble trying to not look around. Upon seeing me, she stared and only stopped because her father gently placed his hand on her back and nudged her forward.
'So these are the Foxton's,' I thought as I swirled the cup of ale in my hand.
"Serve our guest first, Clannia," Blackmoore ordered.
"Y-Yes, milord," Taretha's mother acknowledged hurriedly.
It was not lost on me that Blackmoore was showing me a lot of respect by having his servant serve me first. Taretha's mother made an obvious motion of dipping very low to place the plate before me, giving me an unobstructed view right down her shirt.
"E-enjoy, my lord," the woman stuttered before turning to her shadow. "Taretha, the sauce."
Little Taretha awkwardly bowed in my direction before placing the sauce boat next to my plate. They moved on from me and went to serve their lord, letting me examine what appeared to be a beef wellington in front of me. It was definitely shocking to see it here, but I could only chalk it up to fantasy culinary bullshit. I looked at Blackmoore and waited for him to be served before we both began to dig in.
Curiously, I began to cut at the entree and, after saucing it, put it in my mouth. The explosion of flavor was something I was not ready for as I closed my eyes and savored it. I heard Blackmoore chuckled in a pleased manner at my reaction. After eating a few more bites, I turned to Clannia who had been waiting nearby.
"My compliments, madame Clannia," I said honestly. My praise got a blush from her and a pinched expression from her husband. I then turned my attention to Blackmoore. "You lucky bastard, having such an amazing cook!"
"It is my fortune that Tammis' wife is so gifted," the asshole laughingly said.
Okay, the bait is set.
Not watching my manners, I finished off the plate. It would have been considered rude in other nobles' company, but it was a way for me to show Blackmoore that I was comfortable around him.
"By the Light, that was delicious!" I said as I pushed the plate away from me. "Got any more of that ale for me to wash it down with?"
"Tammis." Blackmoore shot a glare at his servant.
The husband of Clannia walked over and refilled my cup. For a second I saw anger flash before his eyes, but he schooled it. I couldn't fault him for it; he thought I was gonna bang his wife. Granted she was a fine, fine, milf, but cuckoldry was a trash fetish.
"My thanks, my good man Tammis." I saw him grip the pitcher tighter before moving back to his spot. I deliberately swirled ale in my cup and kept my eyes on Clannia.
"See something you like, my friend?" Blackmoore grinned knowingly.
"I do," I said seriously. My eyes never left the hot blonde mother of Taretha the entire time.
"Clannia," Blackmoore turned to his servant wife. "You are to take care of Lord Callan's every need. Is that understood?"
Tammis' body seemed to freeze up at that declaration while Taretha glanced at her mother, not understanding the byplay.
"Y-Yes, milord," Clannia answered in a hushed whisper.
It was time for me to strike. I had several plans and scenarios to try and take Taretha away from Blackmoore's grip, but the fact that Clannia could actually cook this well gave me the perfect excuse.
"Actually," I interjected as I lazily turned to Blackmoore. "I think I would prefer for her to take care of someone else's needs, Aedelas."
Thrall one time adopted father blinked at my statement. "Someone...else? Who?"
Gotcha.
"My Queen, Aedelas." I saw his surprised expression. "I have tasted the meal from the Capital City, and Clannia here puts them to shame."
"Queen Taria?" Blackmoore asked. His face showed his confusion. Gone were the lecherous thoughts of offering me Tammis wife as my bed warmer. "You think your Queen would enjoy this type of food?"
"Yes," I nodded. Time to throw out more bait. "Not only her, but I think Queen Lianne and even King Terenas might enjoy it too. They are frequent guests of my Queen afterall."
I saw the gears turning in his head and helped move it along.
"Naturally, I would say that Clannia was a gift from you." I gave him a meaningful look.
He was the son of a traitor, and I was the son of a hero. We had become 'friends', and now I wanted to gift my Queen one of his servants. His name would be known in the upper echelon of nobility for that alone. Time to sweeten the deal.
"I can't help but notice the little servant girl. Is she your daughter?" I asked Clannia directly.
"Y-yes, milord." The blonde woman turned to her shadow. I didn't miss how she shifted her body protectively in front of her daughter. What kind of monster did she think I was anyway? "Her name is Taretha, milord."
"You can take her along if you want," I told Clannia. "She can be a handmaiden-in-training for the Queen."
My statement stunned Taretha's parents, and I saw the girl looking up at them not understanding what was going on. I turned back to the indecisive Blackmoore and revealed the final trump card.
"The Queen always wanted a daughter, you see, and she has been away from Prince Varian for quite some time. I think little Taretha would be good for her," I explained seriously before looking thoughtful. "If nothing else, she could be Prince Arthas's playmate while the Queens are busy talking about matters of state."
"Prince Arthas?" Blackmoore turned to me with wide eyes.
"Aye." I nodded. "Prince Arthas often comes with Queen Lianne when she visits. I think he gets bored. Having a child around his age might make him happy. Though, that's only when he visits."
Unfortunately, I never met the future Lich King, but learn that he did visit my queen with his mother during my trip to Quel'thalas. Then upon my return I was pretty much dispatched right away.
'Ah well…' I lamented.
I watched with interest as the eyes of Blackmoore became calculating, I might even say covetous, as he eyed his servants.
'Game. Set. Match.' I internally grinned. I knew that I got him. The man's ambition was too great to let such an opportunity pass him by. Shooting me a grateful look. He turned to Taretha's mother.
"Clannia," Blackmoore's voice became authoritative. "You are to do whatever Callan tells you and go wherever he wants to you go. As you have heard, Callan has permitted you to bring your daughter along. Do not shame me, understand?"
However, to both our surprise the woman looked stricken. Why? Was she worried I would take her to my bed tonight?
"I suggest you get packed tonight," I told Clannia. Maybe that will make her realize that I had no intention of sleeping with her. "You and your daughter will leave at first light tomorrow."
Instead of reassuring her, it made her visibly pale before my eyes. She then turned to her husband and the duo communicated in silence. Whatever was worriedly said, Tammis stepped forward despite shaking from fear.
"M-Milord..." Tammis pleaded with his master. "W-we can't leave our sick son."
'Son?!' I blinked. 'Taretha's brother was still alive?!'
"That's right..." Blackmoore mused as if he just remembered that fact. "Young Faralyn was sickly, wasn't he? Didn't the priest and apothecary say there was nothing they could do for the boy?"
The Foxton lost their composure as their lord reinforced the bad news they had received. Meanwhile, my mind was in a tizzy. It was never elaborated on what killed the Foxton heir in any media works. Just like that, a light bulb went off in my head. Maybe, just maybe, I could do something about it.
"Do you mind if I take a look at Faralyn, madame Clannia?" I asked gently. My gesture seemed to surprise both master and servants. "I have some skill in the healing arts."
Blackmoore's eyes widened as if he remembered something while the parents looked confused.
"Take us to the boy, Tammis," Blackmoore ordered. "The Light might have smile on you this day."
Confused, the Foxtons obeyed. The trip to their house was a short trip from Blackmoore's residence. The house was small, but as we approached, sounds of a baby crying could be heard. Clannia, ignoring propriety, rushed to her residence to comfort her child. The opened door let us look inside where a nanny, or perhaps a wet nurse, was holding a baby in her arms, making cooing sounds until she saw us enter. Recognizing her lord, she quickly made to get on her knees but was stopped.
"Bring the babe here," Blackmoore ordered. His face showed how he was annoyed with the baby's loud crying.
The nanny shot a quick look at Clannia before moving to her lord. Said lord then turned to me when the baby was presented to him.
"Callan?" he prompted.
As gently as I could, I took the small crying bundle into my arms and felt my heart melt a bit. Faralyn was a very cute baby, but I could tell that he was sick judging by his gaunt look. He barely weighed anything and it was heartbreaking to see how thin he was, babies were supposed to be fat. He must have sensed I was someone new, either by scent or touch, as his teary eyes locked onto my face.
"Was he born early by any chance?" I asked as I began to rock him slowly and stroke his cheek with a curled finger.
"Y-yes, milord," Tammis answered. He must have been surprised at my knowledge, but two semesters of human anatomy in college helped, especially regarding the formation of life.
"There, there, little dude," I whispered as I placed my hand on him, and to everyone's surprise, he quieted. "I got you."
With my cheat, the knowledge of what was wrong came to me automatically. He was lacking life force; his body wasn't generating enough of it for him to survive. My body which was saturated in Light magic aka life force brought him comfort.
"I wasn't expecting you here, little guy," I told the baby in a soft tone.
With that, I began to sing an old earth lullaby infused with Divine Hymn. I ignored the gasp behind me and the mild light show that must have been going on as I dispelled the boy's disease and slowly channeled Light into his small frame. I watched the color gradually return to his skin and felt his flickering soul grow stronger. With that, the baby slowly closed his eyes and fell into a comfortable sleep.
Turning around, I saw the stunned expression from Blackmoore to the Foxton family. With a soft smile, I handed the baby back to his mother. She immediately took him and gasped. She instantly, perhaps via motherly instinct, knew that her baby was healthy again.
"Is he okay now, mummy?" Taretha asked in a hushed whisper. It was almost as if she was afraid of waking her little brother up.
"He's strong enough to travel," I told Clannia. "Make sure he gets a lot of milk from...well...you know. The vital nutrients there will help him."
"T-Thank you, milord," Clannia answered in a teary voice.
I didn't do well with situations like that so I cleared my throat and turned to Blackmoore.
"I'll have to trouble you to send a guide with my knights, Aedelas," I told him.
"Of course, Callan," Blackmoore said. There was a bit of awe leaking out of his voice before he turned to his servant. "You may go with your wife and daughter, but I expect you back. Understood?"
"Yes, milords!" Tammis answered in a choked-up tone. His eyes were wet and was looking at me with gratitude which made me feel uncomfortable in a way I couldn't put into words, especially considering how I was lewdly leering at his wife just a little bit earlier.
"I'll take my leave first," I told Blackmoore.
"Of course," Blackmoore nodded and stepped aside. I quickly made my way out. "Good night, Callan."
I wasn't expecting it to go down the way it did, but it all worked out in the end. Now to get out of here before those goddamn stealthy rogues try and chop onions around me. I got a letter to write after all.
+++The Next Morning +++
The sound of a baby's laughter could be heard as his sister played peekaboo with him. The entire Foxton family was on a wagon that had been procured by Blackmoore's stable master as four of my knights flanked them.
"Here, Emery," I said as I handed the letter in my hand to my most trusted knight. "Please give this to the Queen."
"I'll return as soon as I can, milord," Emery said. He was formal when in the company of others out of respect for me. Too bad I had to give him some bad news.
"No," I shook my head. "You are to stay with the Queen; you wouldn't be able to make it back in time."
Emery for a moment looked as if he wanted to fight before he deflated. It was the Queen after all. I then turned my attention to the Foxton whose lord was whispering something to them as I approached.
"Milord." Clannia made to get up to bow to me, but a raised hand stopped her.
"Just checking on my little buddy," I said. Immediately, she handed the baby to me without hesitation. What a turnaround from yesterday.
While the baby was still much too thin, he had a healthy glow about him now. I placed a hand on the baby cheek to search for any illness. Everything turned up negative as even his soul was burning brightly. With a smile, I handed him back to his grateful mother.
"He's doing very well," I said. There was clear relief from the mother. "Make sure not to overfeed him. I know we want to get meat back on its bones, but it needs to be gradual. Also here—"
I revealed a second letter that I had written early in the morning. Blackmoore's face showed confusion as to why I would give his servants a letter.
"Give this to High Cleric Victoria," I told the Foxton matriarch. "She's a mother herself and can help monitor little Faralyn here."
Clannia Foxton's eyes widened before she bowed as deeply as she could with the baby in her arms. "Thank you, milord!"
"You can thank me by making sure my queen eats well." And by taking your daughter far, far away from her future rapist, I silently added. Though, I unfortunately couldn't resolve their misunderstanding about myself. Hopefully, they would eventually forget it.
"I will, milord! I will!" the mother promised vehemently.
"You all best get going." I turned to my knights and nodded. "You have a long journey ahead of you."
At my suggestion, my knights began to set out while Taretha waved happily to me. She had been shooting me big smiles the entire morning. Her parents must have told her I healed her baby brother. She was very distraught when she lost him, I remembered. That was why she transferred the love and affection of her dead brother onto baby Thrall.
I wondered if she would still have the same reaction to a baby orc now that her brother was alive. This was one of the few scenarios I pondered as I watched the party shrink in the distance. After they were out of eyesight, I turned to Blackmoore. The man was giving me a complicated expression as if he was not sure about something. It was then I realized I had been acting very differently in his company compared to before.
Oh well.
I got the Foxtons so now I can do whatever I want. It was a shame that Blackmoore wouldn't be going with me to Stromgarde. It would have been the perfect time to off him. Just before we were going to leave to go back to our own tasks, the sound of horses galloping could be heard in the distance. Like a very sizable force.
A cloud of dust in the distance was shortly spotted. The Blackmoore soldiers on the walls were ready as their scouts peered into the distance. A moment later, we had our answer.
"Gilneas!" the scout shouted down from the wall.
"Finally," Blackmoore said. I couldn't help but agree with his sentiment.
Slowly, the dust cloud revealed their riders as the black lighting banner of gilneas could be seen. At the head of the group was a woman with dark black hair whipping in the wind. I could make out chainmail clothing done, of course, in the boring brown and black color of gilneas. However, as she got closer, I noticed something was off.
"Oh Genn, you mother fucker, you didn't.." I muttered under my breath.
The gilnean leader rode ahead of the pack and stopped before us. Her eyes searched us both, but my blue and gold clothes gave me away. Quickly, she jumped off the horse and gave a smart salute. She was very pretty, not in the soft feminine way, but a stern school mistress sort of way. Her long dark hair contrasted with her very pale white skin. Even with her stunning violet eyes, she still presented a dark but attractive look.
I let my eyes fall to her hip where a long pointed rapier was sheathed, but it was the matchlock gun on her belt that was more interesting to me. All of that, I pushed aside as the rest of her forces caught up.
"Lana Crowley of the Gilnean free-riders, reporting for duty!" she declared proudly.
'Crowley?!' I thought. Was she related to Darius? I gave her a look over and, while I only saw one female Crowley in the game, she did kind of look like Lorna Crowley. Was this an aunt or maybe her mother? Whatever. Now was not the time as I walked forward and returned the salute.
"Knight Commander Callan Lothar of Stormwind and the Alliance army," I replied.
Blackmoore remained quiet and let me talk since I was now nominally in charge.
"So…" My eyes scanned the free riders. By my estimate, there were close to five hundred people on horseback. "How many infantry should we be expecting?"
My eyes locked with hers. There was a flash of shame in the woman's eye as she stood straighter.
"This is all the entirety of the gilnean forces with me, Knight Commander, sir!" she declared with pride.
… I fucking knew it.
TBC...
AN: First off as always, thanks have to go to Icura who sometime work late into the night with his busy schedule to help me with this, those that follow us know how many projects he apart of!
Secondly, thank for you for all the patron supporters! It helps big time and I am eternally grateful for your support!
Now onto this chapter. Hehe, I gotta say, I love many of my speculation across all the platform I post on and how there are some olympic level leap to conclusions to where the story is heading. I can't wait for you guys to see it! With this chapter, it would be the last of smary -Callan as even he was cringing acting like a mustache twirling twat. Also, I'll let people come to the conclusion of what I did and only comment on Gilneas. That man did not even show up when the Horde was assaulting Capital City in the original canon. He was in fact sitting behind Gilneas border getting ready in case the Horde succeed. Genn could have lifted the siege of Lordaeron had he thrown the full might of Gilneas behind Lothar half of the Alliance army. But he didn't and thus it is written in historical lore that Gilneas only ever gave the Alliance a token force.
As for Lana, she is an original character as in my eyes only a Crowley would ever volunteer to do what's right or be thrown away by Genn. As for who she is, in canon all that is reveal of the Crowley's lineage so far , there is only Darius and Lorna. No history of anyone else which gave me wiggle room until Blizzard touch upon it later and debunk me. So for now she could be Lorna mama, and be a milf or a hot aunt. You are free to guess. And that's that!
Oh right, I found an awesome Arathi Highland Map and I modified it a bit to suit my needs Expect that post later on.
As always, please consider supporting us on patron Link is in the sig below.
Finally thank you for all the comment, criticism, review and discussions, I take em all!